Pliers



A. A. LOW.

(No Model.)

PLIERSL No. 390,131. Patented Sept. 25, 1888 STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PLIERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 390,131, dated September 25, 1888.

Application filed January 10, 1887. Serial No. 223,890.

To all 21/71/0717, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, A. AUeUsTUs Low, a citizen ofthe United States, residing in the city of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pliers, of which the following is a specification sufficientto enable others skilled in the art to which the invention appertains to make and use the same.

My improvements relate to the class of implements known as -p1iers; and theinvention is designed more especially for handling types, particularly when the latter are to be distributed into long narrow type-containing channels.

My invention consists in the special form and construction of parts constituting the dupleX device shown and described, a leading feature being the automatic closing of thejaws when released from pressure. I am aware that, broadly, this feature is old, and I do not seek to cover it herein, but confine myself to the special construction of parts bywhich the inherent elasticity of the parts themselveseffeet the closing of the jaws without recourse to independently-formed springs incorporated into the structure, as heretofore.

Another feature of my invention consists in forming the device with laterally-projecting nose or finger pieces, which are adapted to enter and manipulate the types within the comparatively narrow type-containing channels used in connection with their distribution, &c.

lam also aware that tongs have been formed with transverse plates for holding types between them, as in the English patent to Heineman, No. 4,401 of 1876; but in that case the holdingplates constitute the extreme front end of the tongs and are rectangular in crosssection, which would prevent their use in connection with type'containing channels as especially provided for by my construction, in which the transverse fingers are flat and narrow and are adapted to hold one or more types longitudinally, whereas in the prior construction referred to the types practically can only be held transversely. Furthermore, the Euglish device is designed simply to hold a line of type, whereas my device is especially designed for the purpose of controlling one or more refractory or misplaced types within or insert- (No model.)

ing or removing them from the type-containing channels.

Incidental features of my invention consist in the special means employed for raising types that may fall prostrate in the channels; for removing a single type from the end of a line situated in a type-containing channel; for gaging the degree to which the jaws may be caused to diverge, and for locking them when used as a clamp or holder.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is an isometrical perspective view of my improved device closed; Fig. 2, a side elevation of the same open and clamping a line of type or similar small objects; Fig. 3, an isometrical perspective of the lower or nose portion of thejaws, illustrating the method of clamping a line of types laterally; Fig. 4, a similar view illustrating the clamping of a line 'of types at opposite ends ofthe line or longitudinally; Fig. 5, a view illustrating the utility of the lateral nose-pieces in entering a typecontaining channel; Fig. 6, a view illustrating the raising or removal of a fallen type by means of the wedge-shaped edge of the stationary jaw; Fig. 7, a similar view illustrating the use of the pointed end of the wedgeshaped jaw.

\Vhat may be designated as the stationary plate orjaw Aextends the whole length of the device, being formed at one extremity with the lateral nose or projection a, and at the other with the stationary transverse jaw or T- head a. One of the ends of the T-head a is beveled or otherwise formed into a wedge, a, to facilitate its introduction underneath or between objects, while the other end is formed into a comparatively sharp point, aflwhich is to be used against the surface of an object to be moved. Figs. Gand 7 respectively illustrate the use of both these features of construct-ion. The other or movable jaw, B, is considerably shorter than the stationary jaw A, to which its inner end is rigidly secured in any suitable manner: Both jaws A B are made of comparatively thin elastic material, although the movable jaw B is preferably of greater elasticity than the other, A, which latter may be made rigid, if desirable.

Projecting from the movable jaw-plate B is the finger-piece b, provided wit-h the fingerring Z) or othersuitablebearing or rest for the finger. The position of the finger rest or bearing 11 is beyond the point of attachment between the two plates A B, so that it is obvious that when the said finger-piece b is depressed toward the plate A the nose or outer end of the jaw B will be separated from the opposed portion of the stationary jaw A.

In the drawings, the finger-piece b is shown as formed with a spur, b, which engages a slot or recess, 2), and acts as a fulcrum; but this construction is not absolutely essential, and may be omitted altogether, if preferred, without materially affecting the utility of the de vice.

The plates or jaws A B as thus far described may be used without any further addition, ifprefer red. In fact, the T-head a may also be dispensed with where it is desired to simply construct a self-closing clamp; but, especially when designed for use in connection with the setting and distribution of types, I prefer to use the T-head a, and in combination therewith an opposed sliding T piece or jaw, C, which is connected by a link, 0, with the finger-piece bin such manner that when the latter is depressed it will cause the movable T or jaw C to approach the stationary T- head a.

The sliding jaw O is attached to the plate A by any suitable means which will permit of its movement longitudinally thereon.

It will be seen that the device as a whole is duplex in character and provides for practically all the contingencies that may arise during the handling of types and other similar articles, the drawings illustrating certain methods of use, but not, however, showing all the possible and obvious uses to which it may be applied in practice.

Vhen used as illustrated in Fig. 5 and un der similar conditions, the rectangular ends a I) are especially advantageous in giving the user the full and unobstructed view of the parts, as compared with the old form of straight pliers or tweezers. The fact that the object or objects when once grasped between the jaws are firmly held automatically with a steady pressure until intentionally released is also of great practical importance.

I prefer in certain cases to extend the lateral project-ions b" upon both sides of the jaws, and to extend the latter centrally, as shown in Fig. 1. By this means the device may be used upon either side indiscriminately, as may be most convenient under the circumstances, or it may be used as an ordinary straight-nosed pair of pliers.

Means for regulating the divergence of the jaws are provided, consisting in the drawings of the thumb-screw S, which passes through the plates and protrudes more or less in the path of the finger-picce I), acting as a stop or lock thereto, as may be desired.

hat. I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, :is

l. A pair of type'pliers substantially such as described, formed with flat metal springjaws A B, which by their inherent elasticity tend constantly to close, one of thejaws being formed with a separating-lever, Z), arranged and operating substantially in the manner and forthe purpose described.

2. A pair of typepliers substantially such as described, consisting of flat metal springjaws which by their inherent elasticity close automatically upon the type, said elasticjaws being formed with laterally'projecting flat finger-pieces adapted to enter a type-containing channel, substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.

3. The duplex device substantially such as described, formed at one extremity with the transverse finger-pieces b b and at the other extremity with the transverse head a and parallel sliding jaw G, the jaws at the opposite extremities of the device being connected and actuated by a common finger-piece, b, sub stantially in the manner and for the purpose described.

at. In a duplex pair of pliers substantially such as described, the combination and arrangement of parts, substantially as herein set forth, consisting of the plates A B, finger-piece b, link a, slide 0, and T-head, for the purposes Set forth.

5. A d uplex device substantially as set forth, formed with the cross-head to, having the wedge a", and with the parallel movable jaw C, for the purpose and substantially in the manner described.

6. In a duplex device substantially such as set forth, the combination, with the springjaws AB and finger-piece b, of the regulating device S, arranged and operating substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.

A. AUGUSTUS LOW.

Witnesses:

W'M. Ganrmnn, Geo. XV. llIIA/ITT. 

